Communications Assistant

Contract

This is a Service Contract contract. This kind of contract is known as Service Board / Service Contract. It is normally only for nationals. More about Service Contract contracts.

**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Beirut Job Family: Communication and Information Type of contract : Non Staff Level : Duration of contract : 1 year Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 02-FEB-2021 **Only Lebanese Nationals and/or persons with the right to work in Lebanon are eligible to apply.** UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- Under the overall authority of the Director UNESCO Beirut Office, and the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer (Lebanon Reg. Co-ord) the Communications Assistant shall co-ordinate and perform a full range of duties in collaboration with colleagues at UNESCO’s Field Offices in the Arab region, and DPI unit at HQ, to ensure a structured approach to service delivery. More specifically, the incumbent shall undertake the following tasks and responsibilities: Long Description ---------------- **1. Media Strategy Development**: - Assess media needs and opportunities, propose and support development, implementation, and monitoring of complex strategies for media communications and relations, web and digital media, social media platforms, audio-visual production, etc., at Regional level and for specific programme areas. - Support development and execution of advocacy campaigns for UNESCO initiatives to ensure visibility in relevant media. - Develop targeted messages and graphics for a variety of social media platforms leveraging communications strategy to enhance search engine hits and ensure continued engagement of target audience. Long Description ---------------- **2. Media relations**: - Develop strategic media partnerships and sustain professional relationships with journalists and other key external constituencies at national, regional and international level with emphasis on Lebanon and Syria. - Ensure wide media coverage and dissemination of UNESCO’s strategy and activities. Assist in arranging coverage for UNESCO events liaising closely with third-party contractors on production and advocacy design for videos, print and/or other media outputs. - Identify and pursue opportunities to publicize UNESCO Regional initiatives further. Propose and assist in the coordination of activities to engage media via press conferences, familiarization trips, events launch, etc. - Provide advisory to UNESCO Director and programme officers on media related matters, facilitate and support press inquiries/releases for colleagues in Beirut Office. Organize speaking opportunities and interviews for UNESCO Leadership as necessary and/or when requested. Long Description ---------------- **3. Media Monitoring**: - Proactively monitor UNESCO mentions in traditional and new media to identify and respond to issues promptly in the best interest of the organization, and to ensure strengthening of the organization’s reputation. - Maintain active social media engagement, leverage digital technologies to disseminate and promote outreach activities. - Evaluate/report on traditional and social media trends, issues in the country and/or region. - Monitor media statistics, social media and web usage, etc., and adapt media content, editorial and outreach priorities as necessary to optimize visibility. Advise on media exposure analytics and recommend means to increase exposure. - Update UNESCO Beirut website regularly while ensuring overall brand coordination with HQ Web team. Adopt a proactive approach to resolve website related technical issues with HQ Web team promptly. **4. Content development**: - Collaborate with UNESCO programme unit heads to support development of content plan(s), and implementation of strategic communication rollouts on specific project/programme initiatives. - Write/edit public information materials (print, digital, press releases, feature articles, etc.) in professional journalistic format for the Lebanese, Regional and International media (traditional and new media), in coordination with the appropriate units within the office whilst ensuring adherence to UNESCO policies and procedures governing media releases. **5. UN joint programme/ programming**: - Collaborate with communications personnel in the UN System and partner organizations in Lebanon and Syria to strengthen UNESCO coverage and visibility, determine relevancy/adequacy of UNESCO’s contribution(s) in joint initiatives, and to ensure UNESCO benefits from joint initiatives. Such UN Collaborations shall be done in close coordination with NPO Reg. Co-ord Leb, NPO CI, and the Director’s Office. - Build and maintain effective working relationships and communication channels with other UN agencies in the country and at Regional level, in order to develop/implement communications campaigns system-wide, incorporate campaign messages and themes into all relevant events and products. **6. Knowledge Management** - Develop templates to support documentation of best practices and “lessons learnt”. - Support maintenance of contact lists for key media contacts. Maintain database of journalists and ensure it is kept current/up to date. - Coordinate dissemination of reports and other publications produced or commissioned by UNESCO. - Keep abreast of latest digital technologies to enhance advocacy ***7. Performs any other tasks as shall be assigned by the Director and/or the direct supervisor(s).*** **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- Education: - University degree in Communications, Journalism, or related Social Sciences. Work Experience: - Minimum 4 years’ experience in development of communication strategies, Public Relations, Marketing, Public Info/ media relations, journalism and/or relevant social sciences. - Experience in crafting communication strategies geared towards results-based management. - Capability and proven experience in crafting messages in various formats (press releases, success stories, blog entries, features, etc.) targeting a variety of audiences. - Proven track record of successful media relations, coverage and dissemination. Skills: - Good understanding of traditional and social media. - Excellent coordination, networking and interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy. - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Ability to manage sensitive information in a confidential manner - Ability to work in a multicultural environment. - Excellent knowledge of IT and basic computer packages (i.e. word, Excel, PowerPoint). - Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize, great attention to detail. Languages: - Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic. Good knowledge of French is an added advantage. **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- Education: - Advanced degree (Masters) in Communications, Journalism, or related Social Sciences. - Professional affiliation to Industry recognized Communications and/or Journalists Association is an added advantage. Work Experience: - Familiarity with UN and/or UNESCO programme implementation/activity is an added advantage. - Experience with an international organization. **BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS** ----------------------------- Medical Insurance & Pension benefits are included in gross amount quoted above. Other benefits include 30 days’ annual leave. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.